For MOTD 2006, I, and I'm sure a few NAMers, would appreciate a date change, from the first week in May, to maybe the second week in June. I can see where this would be an advantage in a few areas; weather, attendence, and a stronger youth presence. I envy all of those who went to the dragon this year, I would have loved to go and meet all of you. But with school, like many highschool and college students, it didn't fit into to my schedule. I don't know, I just thought it my be a good idea.

Peace

Mikey G.

Mikey, it is the tradition to hold the MOTD Meet on the first full weekend in May. There are fewer tourists then and that makes for better motoring for all of us in our MINIs. Also, we basically kick off the season for all the businesses there in the local mountain area. :smile:

You can go there other times of the year, but we intend to keep that weekend in May as our official MOTD time. BTW, there were plenty of students who managed to make it to the MOTD, even though it was tricky with their schedules.

See if you can't figure out how to attend next year. It is really fun to be with hundreds of MINIs, traveling through all the twists and turns of some of the funnest MINI roads in the US!


Clover

June is considered high season, moving the event means we get less support from the local resorts and smaller discounts on the lodging...

After Memorial Day the resorts in the area can have 80 to 90% occupancy without discounting their entire resort. (There's not enough Dragon Slayer Club members out to affect their profits during the high season) With that in mind they're not interested in blocking off the entire resort and selling it at a discount which is what we get now.

This is one of the bigger complaints that the local resorts have about the Miatas. They would much rather have the Miatas down before Memorial Day and before high season. This is one of the many reasons why the local community provides much less support and cooperation for the Miatas than for us.

Then there's the safety issue. Traffic is MUCH lighter in May than in June, July, and August on the Dragon. Fewer RV's and vehicles towing trailers in the Spring than in the Summer...

Why don't you figure out when the Miata weekend is and crash that? There is usually a bunch of MINIs that head down for that weekend.

May is a beautiful time to drive the Dragon and the surrounding roads, as well as see the gorgeous scenery. It is truly a time for renewal.

I can see where some people might want to come down later in the summer, but, with school being out and families wanting vacations, it might create an even more dangerous situation than what we experienced with the drunk driver, the ever-present bikers and that oil-spreading SOB.

Since we already have a semi-event with the "Fall of the Dragon" in October, why not make plans to come down for the Fall color, too? The tree colors are drop-dead gorgeous. True, there ARE the weekend gawkers as well as the careless, but is it really any different than in May? Schools are in session, families are back to work and doing their family activities, and Fontana is getting ready to shut down for the Winter and is not busy. Besides, Cherohala and the other drives, along with the crisp Fall air and the warm sunny days are just exhillarating. What better way to end the Dragon hunt for another year?

I say, push the "Fall of the Dragon" more, and we can get the best event with the best people together again TWICE in one year.

EXACTLY - no WAY would I want to be up there with MORE people hanging around. I go camping in Cherokee every year. I've been in just about all months - my favorite is late October - nice and cool (sometimes just below freezing at night), hardly any tourists, the roads can be light to clear, parking isn't a problem anywhere, etc. June would be HORREDOUS! Minivans full of snot nosed tourists, everyone and thier 1/2 dead grandmother weaving over the lines sightseening, hitting the brakes every 2 seconds, 3x as many cars on the road at all times...ugh, been there done that burned the t-shirt.

wouldn't it be great if we had more mini get-togethers every year - one in may and one in the fall (i'll bet it's beautiful there in the fall)

i had a blast at this year's dragon meet but it just wasn't enough time (i think i could sit on that balcony forever and just watch the minis go by) i would love to go back this fall and visit again and stay longer but it wouldn't be as great if other minis weren't there with my baby PEPE (he needs his friends too)

couldn't we organize a small meet with all pot-luck dinners and fun drives?

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EXACTLY what I was saying about us building up the "Fall of the Dragon" in late October more. While it isn't as big as the May event, we still get around 30 or so MINIs there...more as the weekend gets nearer and people can come over for a one day drive.

It's called "Fall of The Dragon" typically it's a very loose gathering of people in the area, you can check with koolmini or Clover as to exact dates.

As to making it more organized... well I guess it just takes somebody stepping up...

i'll do just that because that sounds like lots of fun and i can't wait to go back and visit that dragon

DRAGON SLAYING IS BY FAR BETTER THAN A ROLLER COASTER BECAUSE I'M IN CONTROL!

Sounds like a great idea keep it goin'.

I know I'll love riding the dragon, but what I would like more is to see and meet everyone who I talk to on this board!

"Late Night" Mikey